The 14-Step Process (with Images) for Putting in New or Replacing Old Door Hinge

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   Put the hinges where they belong. If you're putting in a new door, you'll need to measure where the hinges will go on the door frame. The standard placement for a door's hinges is seven inches from the top of the door frame and eleven inches from the bottom of the door frame. Mark this spot on the door you're installing and this one on the frame using your measuring tape.

   • A third hinge (typically used for heavy doors) will be installed in the exact center of the other two (making the door slightly out of plumb).
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   Circle the hinge with a marker. Position the hinge on the door and the jamb, and then trace it with a carpenter's pencil. Hinge jams should always have a depth equal to the thickness of the hinge. Before continuing, double-check that your outlines are in the same place on the door and jamb. The mortise can then be easily cut by scoring the outline with a utility knife.

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   Mortise cut Cutting out the shape of the hinge from the jamb wood is called "cutting the mortise," and it allows the hinge to be inset into the jamb for added strength and visual appeal. A sharp chisel and a hammer are required to create the mortise. Tap gently into the jamb from the side, angling the chisel to remove thin strips of wood. If the mortise is cut too deeply, the hinge will become sloppy over time. Don't remove any material outside of the marked depth and outline. [1]

   • If you're trying to cut a mortise and your chisel is dull, you'll have to apply more force when you hammer, which increases the risk of slipping.
   • Wood filler or a thin piece of wood can be inserted into the mortise before the hinge is installed if it is cut too deeply.
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   Make a note of where the screws are. Put the hinge back into the mortise you cut in the jamb. Make a note of where the screws are in the jamb using your pencil. Adjust the door's hinge in the same way. When you're done making marks, take the hinges off.

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   Create the test holes. Drill tiny pilot holes for the screws where you marked the jamb with a drill or screwdriver. Before fully screwing them in, give them a light tap to ensure they won't fall out. If you want your screws to go into the wood straight, you should use a screw guide.

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   Mount the separate hinges. Replace each hinge with a drill or screwdriver, and then fasten it into the door and jamb.

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   Join the door frame to the wall jamb. Keep the door from swinging by holding it in place and, if necessary, propping up the bottom with blocks. Hinge plates on the door and the jamb must be aligned for the hinges to work properly. Put the hinge pins back in their slots and take the door off its blocks. Make sure the door opens and closes properly, and you're done. [2]

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   You can prop the door open with wooden blocks. You can use blocks to keep the door steady if you move it so that the entire hinge is visible. It is not necessary to remove the door when replacing a hinge. The door can be kept from toppling by placing blocks beneath it.

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   Examine the door's dimensions and compare its hinges. Replace worn out hinges with new ones that are a snug fit in terms of size and edge shape. You can double-check the current hinge placement by using a measuring tape. Position one hinge 7 inches from the top of the door frame and the other 11 inches from the bottom. If either of these is wrong, you'll have to cut a new mortise and prep the door jamb for the new hinge.

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   Remove one of the old hinges Remove the screws from the top hinge first, then the hinge leaves. Carefully remove them from the door and jamb, and then examine the wood under the hinges to ensure it is in good shape. If any of the old holes have been stripped out, you might want to use a small wood wedge to plug them.

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   Get the door and jamb ready for the new hinge. It's possible that the door jamb and hinge will need minor repairs if the old hinge was attached for a long time. If the wood needs to be sanded down, a fresh coat of paint or stain can be applied to make it blend in with the old.

   • Putty both the door and the frame's mortise holes if the new hinges are a different size than the old ones. You can plug the screw holes with a small wood wedge or a metal scraper.
   • After the putty has dried, sand it down until it is level with the surrounding area.
   • Apply paint or stain to the patch so it blends in with the surrounding door and trim.
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   Mount the new hinge. Just replace the old hinge with the new one. Attach the two halves of the hinge to the jamb and the door using the drill or screwdriver and the screws provided in the package. Insert the pin into the hinge to lock it into place.

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   To finish up, do the same thing with the other hinge. Now, using the drill or screwdriver, take apart the next hinge. Put in the new hinge and screws, making sure the hinge doesn't move while you're holding it in place. As soon as the new hinges are in place and tight, insert the new pin.

   • You should also replace your third central hinge now if you have one.
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   Evaluate the new fasteners Take away the support and try opening and closing the door several times. If the door opens without a hitch, you're done.

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